Sports
New Zealand’s quiet achiever Santner makes big noise at World Cup – ARN News Centre
[ad_1]
AFP
Mild-mannered Mitch Santner rarely hogs the limelight in the New Zealand team but the all-rounder has made a big noise at the World Cup, taking a screamer of a catch against Afghanistan and a milestone 100th ODI wicket.
Santner’s haul of 3-39 helped the Black Caps thrash the Afghans by 149 runs and continue his side’s perfect start to the global showpiece.
On the way, he became the second New Zealand spinner to reach 100 wickets in the format, following in the footsteps of his idol, Daniel Vettori.
Santner has work to do to catch Vettori, who bowed out of a brilliant career with 305 ODI victims.
“Yeah, it’s obviously nice to get to that milestone,” the 31-year-old told reporters of the 100 club.
“I guess I wasn’t thinking about it too much leading into the game. It’s just (about) trying to perform my role and do a job out there just like every other game.
“I think I’m 200 odd wickets behind (Vettori), so it’s going to be a tough challenge to get there.”
With 11 wickets so far, including a five-wicket haul against the Netherlands, Santner tops the bowling at the World Cup ahead of paceman team mate Matt Henry, who grabbed his ninth against the Afghans.
More accustomed to toiling on New Zealand’s pace-friendly pitches, it is not often Santner gets to outshine the seamers.
“It’s obviously nice to come here and see the ball spin a little bit,” he said.
“You don’t really get those (pitches) in New Zealand … I think as a whole, we’ve been bowling in partnerships, that’s what we talk about.”
Afghanistan grassed a slew of catching chances at the MA Chidambaram stadium, the home ground of Santner’s IPL team Chennai Super Kings.
Santner did not let the 15,000-strong crowd down, though, when he ran back and dived for a stunning one-handed catch to remove Hashmatullah Shahidi for eight when the Afghanistan captain miscued a pull off a short Lockie Ferguson ball.
“Lucky for me I’ve got really long arms and was able to kind of pluck it out,” said Santner.
“I think Lockie’s expression said it all. It was more of a surprise I caught it.”
New Zealand’s next match is a blockbuster against hosts India on Sunday in Dharamsala, a rare Indian pitch offering bounce and movement for seamers.
“I think what we’ve done well through this tournament is being able to adapt to different conditions,” said Santner.
“Every pitch we’ve played on has been slightly different.”
[ad_2]
Source link
Tributes have poured in after the son of former Chelsea star Eddie Newton was found dead alongside his friend following a hike in the UAE, where temperatures soared to 50C.
Cassius Newton, 34, and his friend Aran Martinson, 33, were found by rescuers on July 18 after setting out on a hike in the mountainous Wadi Naqab region.
The pair, from Dorset and Essex respectively, both lived and worked in the UAE. Their bodies were discovered between 3km and 4km from their vehicle.
According to a report, Chelmsford area coroner Michelle Brown said their provisional causes of death included cardiac and respiratory arrest.
Cassius, a non-league footballer, was the son of former Chelsea midfielder and coach Eddie Newton, who spent more than a decade with the club.
His wife was in the UK when she became concerned after Cassius failed to contact her following the hike and reported him missing.
The two men had been living at a luxury resort in Ras Al Khaimah.
Tributes after desert tragedy
Tributes poured in after the deaths.
Aran’s wife described him as “incredibly driven, hardworking and ambitious”, saying he had recently begun a new chapter in his career and was excited about the future.
Blackfield & Langley Football Club paid tribute to their former player, saying: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of former player Cassius Newton; our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
National League club Eastleigh, where Cassius had previously played, said it was “deeply saddened” by his death.
Chelsea connection
Cassius’ father Eddie Newton played for Chelsea from 1990 to 2001 and famously scored in the club’s 1997 FA Cup final victory.
The former midfielder also represented Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Oxford United and Barnet.
After retiring as a player, Newton moved into coaching, working as assistant manager at MK Dons and West Brom before returning to Chelsea.
He later served as assistant manager under Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benítez.
(With inputs from BBC, The Sun)
Flying-car trials planned in Ras Al Khaimah under new UAE-China agreement
Yas Marina to stage first Abu Dhabi F1 Sprint as 2027 calendar expands
